This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Jenkins, John Charles (‘Jack’) played for Wales Internationals: 1 : 1906 SA- John Jenkins was born on 19 April 1880 Played as a Lock for: London Welsh, Newport, Newbridge, Middlesex, Monmouthshire, Barbarians Profession: The Army; commissioned into the South Wales Borderers in 1898. He resigned in 1903 to undertake an accountancy course and joined the Territorial Army (Monmouthshire Regiment) in 1906. He was promoted to Major in 1911. Remarks: Played for Middlesex v New Zealand in 1905 and for Middlesex and Monmouthshire (captain) v the 1906 Springboks. Played for Barbarians: v Penarth (0-5) and Cardiff (0-38) in 1906; v Penarth (8-5) v Devonport (9-0) v Exeter (18-3) in 1907, v Leicester (9-9) in 1909. In 1908 he was invited to join the Anglo-Welsh tour of New Zealand but was unable to go. As a member of the Middlesex Committee, he was involved in the purchase of Twickenham. In 1926, aged 46, he played his 53rd, and last, game for Middlesex. His son, C R Jenkins, played for Bart’s Hospital, Northampton, North of Ireland Football Club and Middlesex, as well as for Ulster v the 1931 Springboks. War service: Lieutenant Colonel, 1/2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment. He died at Hounslow in 1971.
JENKINS, John Charles (Jack) - Born Newbridge, 19 April 1880 - died Hounslow, winter 1971 Career - Long Ashton School , Bristol ; Royal Military College , Sandhurst ; Mountain Ash; London Welsh; Newport ; Newbridge; Rosslyn Park ; Barbarians; Middlesex; Monmouthshire, WALES (Forward in 1 match, against: South Africa, 1906) Jack Jenkins was commissioned into the South Wales Borderers at the age of eighteen. In 1903, he resigned from the Army, took an accountancy course and three years later joined the newly formed Territorial Army (Monmouthshire Regiment). He was promoted to Major in 1911 and, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, commanded the 2nd Bn Monmouthshire Regiment in France in 1915. In 1905 he played for Middlesex against New Zealand and, the following year, appeared for both Middlesex and Monmouthshire (captain) against South Africa . While with Newport he dropped four goals in one season, playing at forward or, occasionally, at centre. He made 200 appearances for London Welsh, captaining them in 1910-11. When winning his one cap for Wales he was handicapped with a septic hand. A great friend of Boxer Harding, he was asked to join the Anglo-Welsh tour to Australia in 1908 but personal commitments did not allow him to go. While serving on the ,Middlesex Committee, he was involved in the negotiations for the purchase of the Twickenham ground. In 1926, aged 46, he played his fifty-third and final game for Middlesex, while his son, C R Jenkins, a medical student, played in his first game for the county. His son played for Bart's, Northampton , North of Ireland Football Club (captain 1933-34), Middlesex and for Ulster against the 1931 Springboks. Jack Jenkins married Helena, the sister of Leigh Richmond Roose, the Welsh soccer international. He contributed a chapter, ' Wales Past and Present” to “Rugby Football Up To Date”, written by E H D Sewell and published in 1921. Included in this chapter is a short passage on his time while playing for Newport. " This introduction of the Rhondda element revolutionised Welsh forward play and the result was soon apparent in the play of the big clubs. Newport from 1900-05 had very fine sides but Swansea had better ones, the latter going through one season undefeated and during another only losing once to Newport. I played in that game, which we won by a dropped goal, scored in the first few minutes, to nil. For the remainder of the match we could not get out of our 25. Trew, Gordon Rees, Geo. Davies, Arnold with Owen and Jones, tried every move on the board to get a score. Once Arnold was through and over the line, when Adams came from nowhere and fairly carried the little wing and ball into touch in goal. Never before or since have I felt more thankful when the final whistle went. I shalI always remember that game as the hardest I ever took part in, and to-day I carry the remains of a ‘cauliflower' ear as it’s result." Information adapted from "Who's Who of Welsh International Rugby Players" by Jenkins, Pierce & Auty.
